Getting a good, fat, puffy pom-pom is a challenge. And sometimes a little purchased help makes all the difference. At CEY, we particularly love Clover’s pom-pom maker. Available in several sizes, Clover’s little machine makes especially full and even pom-poms.

However, if you don’t want to leave home to search for the Clover gadget, here are instructions for a homemade cardboard pom-pom maker. With a little patience and diligence, you’ll be able to make pom-poms that are quite respectable. Here are instructions:

First, out of cardboard, cut two identical circles. (Tracing around the top of a glass or mug is an easy way to make a nice even circle.) The diameter of the circles should be a little larger than you would like your finished pom-pom to be. (Photos 1 and 2)

Next, using a utility knife, cut a smaller circle from the center of the larger circles. The size of the smaller circle cut out can be adjusted for the size of the pom-pom and the thickness of the yarn. (For our mug-top-traced outer circles, we traced around a quarter.) (Photos 3 and 4)

Holding the two rings together, cut a slit through both rings all the way to the center. (Photo 5)

Holding the two cardboard rings together, wrap the yarn around the rings through the slit that was cut. (Photo 6)

Work the yarn wraps very close together with even tension and wrap until the center hole is filled with yarn. (Photo 7)

When you can’t fit in anymore wraps, place the tips of a pair of scissors between the two cardboard circles and cut the yarn all the way around, keeping the scissors between the 2 rings while cutting. (Photos 8 and 9)

After cutting around, slide a length of yarn (the piece should be long enough to tie the yarn together at the center of your pom-pom with length left over to attach or hang the pom-pom) between the two cardboard pieces and knot tightly around the yarn coming from the center hole. This step maybe repeated if the cut yarn pieces do not feel as if they are securely fastened. (Photos 10 and 11)